WHO to help Philippines fight deadly outbreak that has killed 148 in flood-hit Manila

MANILA, Philippines — The World Health Organization will send an emergency team to help the Philippines fight a bacterial disease outbreak that has killed at least 148 people and sickened nearly 2,000 in and around the flood-hit capital, officials said Thursday.

Report: If third of population catches swine flu, hospitals in 15 states could run out of room

WASHINGTON — If a third of people wind up catching swine flu, 15 states could run out of hospital beds around the time the outbreak peaks, a new report warns Thursday.

Army gives recruits olive-drab hand sanitizer bottles and coughing orders to fight flu threat

FORT JACKSON, S.C. — Soldiers in boot camp are getting something new this year besides rigorous basic training — Army-green bottles of hand sanitizer gel, part of a stepped-up effort by the military to ward off swine and seasonal flu.

Canadian Aboriginals get body bags after asking government for swine flu help

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Health officials ordered an investigation Thursday into why the Canadian government sent body bags to an Aboriginal reserve in Manitoba after community leaders requested assistance to deal with an expected outbreak of swine flu.

G-7 and Mexico agree health workers, high-risk groups should get first swine flu vaccines

BRUSSELS — Pregnant women, health workers and people with risky health conditions will be the first to receive swine flu vaccinations, according to an agreement reached Friday by the world’s seven largest economies and Mexico.

China set to approve single-dose swine flu vaccines, experts say could be good news

BEIJING — The answer may be near to a crucial question about vaccine for the advancing swine flu — one shot or two?

Federal ruling favors Bausch & Lomb in lens-cleaner lawsuits over non-fungal infections

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Bausch & Lomb Inc., rocked by the worldwide recall of its flagship contact lens solution in 2006, has beaten back scientific claims blaming ReNu with MoistureLoc cleaner for a flurry of non-fungal eye infections.

Chile confirms swine flu in turkeys, alerts WHO to possibly dangerous development

SANTIAGO, Chile — Chile said Friday that tests show swine flu has jumped to birds, opening a new chapter in the global epidemic.

WHO says anti-flu drug gets an extra 2 years of storage time

GENEVA — Health officials have told governments they can keep Tamiflu for longer to help fight the swine flu pandemic.

Swine flu inspires video game designed by Dutch researchers; aim is to control pandemic

LONDON — Since swine flu first emerged in April, it has sparked panic, vaccine production and now, a video game.

Nigeria’s polio outbreak proves viruses in the vaccine can mutate into a more dangerous form

LONDON — Polio, the dreaded paralyzing disease stamped out in the industrialized world, is spreading in Nigeria. And health officials say in some cases, it’s caused by the vaccine used to fight it.

In India swine flu panic is more infectious than virus itself; schools close, streets deserted

NEW DELHI, India — The streets of the western city of Pune were half-empty, schools in Mumbai were ordered closed, and people suffering aches flooded hospitals across the country as India confronted dueling outbreaks of swine flu and swine flu panic.

HEALTHBEAT: Planning hot lines to help avert flu-swamped ERs, by urging low-risk to stay home

WASHINGTON —Sit for hours amid the sneezing in an emergency room this fall, and if you didn’t arrive with swine flu you just might leave with it.

Senior Revolutionary Guard commander calls for arrest and trial of opposition leader

TEHRAN, Iran —A senior commander of Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard is calling for the arrest and trial of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi and former President Mohammad Khatami over the postelection unrest.

Government seeks calmer response to swine flu in schools this fall

WASHINGTON — The government said Friday that schools should only close this fall if large numbers of students have swine flu, and could allow their sick kids to return 24 hours after a fever is gone.

China locks down northwestern town after 3rd pneumonic plague death

BEIJING — An outbreak of pneumonic plague in a remote farming town in northwestern China has killed a third person, the official Xinhua News Agency said Tuesday, as authorities locked down the town and moved to disinfect the region.

House defeats bill establishing greater food safety oversight

WASHINGTON — The House defeated a far-reaching food safety bill Wednesday after farm-state lawmakers complained it would be too invasive and others said it was pushed to the floor too quickly.

Global health officials debate how to slow spread of swine flu until vaccine becomes available

GENEVA — Some Muslim countries are advising pregnant women not to attend the hajj pilgrimage. China is quarantining any visitor suspected of having a fever, while priests in New Zealand have been banned from placing Communion wafers on worshippers’ tongues.

Don’t travel, go to crowded places or get pregnant: Critics question British swine flu advice

LONDON — Health officials in Britain have issued a torrent of conflicting advice on swine flu, telling people to avoid travel, stay away from crowds and even advising women to delay getting pregnant until the virus subsides.

Swine flu shots at schools: Obama urges states to gird now for fall outbreaks, vaccinations

WASHINGTON — U.S. swine flu vaccinations could begin in October with children among the first in line — at their local schools — the Obama administration said Thursday as the president and his Cabinet urged states to figure out now how they’ll tackle the virus’ all-but-certain resurgence.

Swine flu in the fall: Obama, top advisers urge states to gird now for vaccinations, outbreaks

WASHINGTON — U.S. swine flu vaccinations could begin in October with children at schools among the first in line, the Obama administration said Thursday as the president and his Cabinet urged states to figure out now how they’ll tackle the virus’ all-but-certain resurgence.

Obama officials bring states to swine flu summit to gauge readiness for fall outbreak

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration put the states on notice Thursday: Swine flu vaccinations are likely to be ready this fall with the looming threat of the disease’s resurgence, so figure out now how to deliver them.

New food safety standards for eggs, meat, vegetables being adopted by Obama administration

WASHINGTON — The White House is trying to make Americans’ food safer after recent recalls of popular products like peanut butter and cookie dough.